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Dent vs Cleft - What's the difference?

dent | cleft | Related terms |

As nouns the difference between dent and cleft

is that dent is a shallow deformation in the surface of an object, produced by an impact while cleft is an opening, fissure, or V-shaped indentation made by or as if by splitting.

As verbs the difference between dent and cleft

is that dent is to impact something, producing a dent while cleft is past tense of cleave.

dent

English

Etymology 1

(etyl) . More at dint.

Noun

(en noun)
  • A shallow deformation in the surface of an object, produced by an impact.
  • The crash produced a dent in the left side of the car.
  • (by extension, informal) A sudden negative change, such as loss, damage, weakening, consumption or diminution, especially one produced by an external force, event or action
  • That purchase put a bit of a dent in my wallet.
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2011 , date=April 11 , author=Phil McNulty , title=Liverpool 3 - 0 Man City , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=Andy Carroll's first goals since his £35m move to Liverpool put a dent in Manchester City's Champions League hopes as they were emphatically swept aside at Anfield.}}

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To impact something, producing a dent.
  • To develop a dent or dents.
  • ''Copper is soft and dents easily.

    Etymology 2

    (etyl), from (etyl) dens, dentis, tooth. See tooth.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (engineering) A tooth, as of a card, a gear wheel, etc.
  • (Knight)

    Anagrams

    * English ergative verbs ----

    cleft

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An opening, fissure, or V-shaped indentation made by or as if by splitting.
  • A piece made by splitting.
  • a cleft of wood
  • A disease of horses; a crack on the band of the pastern.
  • (Webster 1913)

    Derived terms

    * anal cleft * * cleft chin * cleft grafting * cleft foot * cleft lip * cleft palate * cleft stick * gluteal cleft

    See also

    * dimple

    Verb

    (head)
  • (cleave)